HARROGATE, TENN. – The No. 20 Anderson University men's lacrosse team took their second win in a row on Saturday (April 22) against conference opponent Lincoln Memorial (LMU) with a score of 13-5, to secure the fourth seed in the South Atlantic Conference Tournament.
With this win, the Trojans will host fifth seed Limestone for their first SAC Tournament game at Spero Financial Field.
How it Happened
Ryley Zopfi and Beau Henson, in their last regular season game as a Trojan, found the net right off the bat to give Anderson the 2-0 lead. After a stop from Anderson's Hunter Klosterman in goal, the Trojan offense went back to work zipping four to the cage. Before the end of the period, Hunter Kot got the Railsplitters on the scoreboard as they entered the second down 6-1.
Another dominant period from the Trojans began with Logan Gaddis, who notched his 100th career point against Mars Hill, throwing a heat seeker past Tyler Shea. The Trojans continued their momentum, this time in a man up situation where freshman Matthew Rodgers dished one in off the feed from Gaddis. A two piece from the Railsplitters brought them within six from the Trojans as the score was 9-3 heading into halftime.
LMU started the half with a goalie change, and Anderson adjusted well with Garret Hawkins sharing the rock in his first game back since Lenoir Rhyne, and Zopfi scoring once again to continue to pad the Trojans' lead. This would be the only time Anderson saw the cage this period, as LMU pulled off a third quarter brace, notching their deficit down by two (10-5).
The Trojans saw the possibility of the comeback and turned on the gas, as Radyn Badraun took one in unassisted, while Henson and Zopfi closed out the regular season with two more, each earning themselves a hat trick on their last regular season night in the black and gold.
"Great to close out the regular season on a win against a tough LMU team," said head coach Albert Mitchell. "Our guys fought hard for a full game and were able to capitalize in transition well.
Excited to host our first playoff game. Our first meeting with Limestone this season was an instant classic, I'm sure this one time will be a hard fought game as well. We worked for the last 365 days to get to this point of the season, we're excited it is finally here."
The Trojans will be back in action at Spero Financial Field on Tuesday (April 25) against the Limestone Saints in the first round of the South Atlantic Conference tournament. Opening faceoff time is set for 7:00 p.m., with live stats and video available at autrojans.com.
In the Box
Beau Henson had three goals and one assist.
Ryley Zopfi had three goals.
Radyn Badraun and Logan Gaddis each had two goals and a pair of assists.
Garrett Hawkins and Matthew Rodgers each had a goal and assist.
Keaton Mathews scored his second goal of the season.
Tyler Barlan caused two of Andeson's six total caused turnovers, with Mason
Gore, Diego Lopez, Chase Robertson, and Keaton Mathews each causing one.
Ethan Pratt and Breton Crewe combined for eight faceoff wins.
Hunter Klosterman picked up 18 saves in goal for the Trojans.
*written by Colin Calvert
